Biology: The Dynamics of Life, California Edition

Unit 2: Ecology

WebQuest Projects

RECYCLING PLASTICS

Introduction

In this WebQuest, students do some Internet research on plastics and the recycling of plastics. Students learn about the history of plastics and about the chemistry of plastics. They find out about the different classes of plastics and what each class can be used for. They also find out what kinds of items each type of plastic can be recycled into. Finally, students prepare a table that gives the coding system for recycling plastics as well as the material and abbreviation used for each type of plastic. They complete the table with information they gathered from the web sites given.

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Task

Students will complete a table about the recycling of plastics. They will have to find this information by exploring many of the web sites listed on the student pages. Each web site has some of the information they will need to complete the table. Students should be able to sift through all of the information available to identify pertinent details for their tables. From their Internet research, students should be able to list more than one item in each of the categories in the table.

Objectives

  • Research the history and chemistry of plastics.

  • Identify the seven types of plastics by code number, material name, and abbreviation.

  • List the items that are made from each type of pFlastic, as well as the items that can be made by recycling each type of plastic.

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Time

1 class period for research and filling in the table

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Process

As students work through the list of web sites, you may help them to focus on what they need to know to fill in the table. Several of the web sites have links to other web sites with relevant information. If time allows, you may want to allow students to explore this subject further. The chemistry of plastics may be a good subject for an independent study project; however, polymer chemistry is complicated and should be explored by higher level chemistry students only. Any level of student may be interested in learning more about the history of plastics, especially as it is filled with accidental discoveries and mistakes that led to plastics such as Teflon and Silly Putty.

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Evaluation

Evaluation of student work will depend upon the extent of the material listed in their tables. Students should have no trouble listing the seven types of plastics and their acronyms. However, they should list at least one item under the heading how normally used, and at least one item under can be recycled as. Students who provide a more comprehensive list under any heading may have points added to their total score as long as all other criteria have been met. You may use the table below to score student work.

Table 1. Recycling Plastics

CodeMaterial & AbbreviationHow Normally UsedCan Be Recycled As
22 Polyethylene teraphthalate,PET, PETEsoft drink bottlessoft drink bottles, paint brushes,
carpeting, egg cartons
2High density polyethylene
HDPE
milk and water jugstoys, milk and water
jugs, traffic cones,
detergent bottles, trash cans
3Vinyl/Polyvinyl chloride,
V/PVC
cooking oil bottles,
shampoo bottles,
clear food packaging
floor mats, pipes, hose
4Low density polyethylene,
LDPE
container lids, bread and
grocery bags
trash can liners, grocery bags
5Polypropylene, PPketchup bottles, margarine tubs, medicine bottlespaint buckets, ice scrapers, mower wheels, auto battery

Once students have completed the table, you may wish to use the rubric below for scoring.

Scoring Table 1. Recycling Plastics

Table Presentation RubricPossible
Points
Self-
Assessment

Teacher
Assessment
Material listed for each code number7  
Abbreviations listed for 6 code
numbers
6  
At least one item listed for each
code under how normally used
6  
At least one item listed for each
code under can be recycled as
6  
Add 1 point for each extra item listed
under how normally used up to 5
30  
Add 1 point for each extra item listed
under can be recycled as up to 5
30  
Total Possible Points85  

 

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Conclusion

Students should be able to fill in the table. They should be able to support their answers with information gathered in their Internet research. Finally, students should be able to compare the status of plastics recycling with the recycling of glass, paper, and aluminum.

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